External Links

(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)

The National Energy Board says it's responding to the concerns of Canadians about pipeline safety by holding a two-day conference with key industry leaders.

The big companies, including TransCanada and Enbridge, took part in several panel discussions at Stampede Park in Calgary Wednesday.

The companies admit public confidence has been "shaken" since a number of spills in Canada and the U.S.

The head of TransCanada says the discussion is important because of what is at stake.

"It doesn't matter how good we are, we are only measured by our last incident," said Russ Girling.

"So we have to get that to zero — the public expects that and we are going to work hard as an industry and work with our regulators to find ways in which we can continually improve and get to the standard the public expects.

"They need this infrastructure, there is no question our economy stops if it doesn't operate, but it has to operate safely and reliably every day."

The company is currently waiting to hear about approval for its controversial Keystone XL pipeline project.

If approved, Keystone XL would take oil from Alberta’s oilsands through the heart of the U.S. Midwest to refineries on the Gulf Coast in Texas for transshipment to consumers around the world.